Duffer’s Dabbles: Former Red Wings Prospect Petruzzelli Off To Fast Start With Leafs Organization

Keith Petruzzelli willfully walked away from his chance to play for the Detroit Red Wings. After a failed attempt to draw interest from the Boston Bruins, Petruzzelli appears to be settling in quite nicely with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.

The 22-year-old netminder was originally a selection of the Red Wings during the 2017 NHL entry draft. He was chosen 88th overall that year. However, after four seasons with the Quinnipiac Bobcats, during the summer, rather than sign with the Red Wings, Petruzzelli made the decision to be opting for free agency.

KEITH PETRUZZELLI WITH HIS FIRST GROWLERS SHUT OUT

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥#RANTnROAR pic.twitter.com/07wJ6sSOgi

— Newfoundland Growlers (@NLGrowlers) November 7, 2021

He was an attendee of the Boston Bruins development camp on a tryout basis, but wasn’t offered a contract. Not long after, the 6-foot-5, 185-pound netminder was inking a deal with the AHL Toronto Marlies, top farm club of the NHL Maple Leafs.

So far, so good. Playing for the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL, Petruzzelli is 4-0 with one shutout and a .976 save percentage. He’s allowed three goals on 127 shots – one in each of his first three games. Petruzzelli posted a 4-0 shutout of the Adirondack Thunder.

He was named ECHL goalie of the month for October.

Around The League

Washington: Alex Ovechkin is moving into a tie with former Red Wings sniper Brett Hull. Monday saw Ovi scoring his 741st goal, tying Hull for fourth on the NHL goal-scoring list.

Detroit: With the Edmonton Oilers in town, that means Oilers GM Ken Holland is coming, too. The soon to be Hall of Famer and former Wings GM, Holland is reflecting on the glory days in Hockeytown.

Boston: Looking to shake things up following a weekend loss to the Leafs, the Bruins appear ready to reinsert Jack Studnicka into the lineup as a winger.

Florida: The Panthers got captain Sasha Barkov back Monday against the New York Rangers. He was missing from Saturday’s win over Carolina due to a lower-body injury.

Calgary: Now that the Jack Eichel deal is done and Matthew Tkachuk remains with the Flames, what happens next regarding Tkachuk and his future status in Calgary?